The Pacific Symphony has announced plans for the 2012-2013 Hal and Jeanette Segerstrom Family Foundation Classical Season, 12 programs each performed three times, plus two single events. All performances in the series take place in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa.

Music director Carl St.Clair, who will mark his 23rd year with the orchestra, conducts nine of the programs, including the gala opener (Sept. 20-22) with guest pianist André Watts. The orchestra's popular "Music Unwound" series returns with three programs, as does its staged opera presentations, this time devoted to Puccini's "Tosca." The season's American Composers Festival features the music of Duke Ellington and includes an appearance by the Duke Ellington Orchestra.

Among the season highlights is a season-closing performance of Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring" that commemorates the 100th anniversary of the revolutionary work's riotous premiere.

Guest soloists include pianists Lang Lang and Conrad Tao, a teenager who stepped in on short notice last season for Yuja Wang and impressed, MacArthur Grant-winning cellist Alisa Weilserstein, violinist James Ehnes and organist Paul Jacobs. Acclaimed chanteuse Ute Lemper will appear in an evening devoted to songs by Weill, Gershwin and Piaf.

Guest conductors include Garry Walker, principal conductor of the Paragon Ensemble, and Mei-Ann Chen, music director of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, who returns after a remarkable debut with the group during the 2010-2011 season.

Lang Lang, often considered the most famous pianist in the world, will perform one night only (Sept. 27) with St.Clair and the ensemble in a program yet to be announced. Pacific Chorale artistic director John Alexander leads the annual performance of Handel's "Messiah" on Dec. 9.

Pianist Lang Lang will make a special one-night appearance with the orchestra on Sept. 27. His and the orchestra's program has yet to be announced. Philip Glaser; text by Timothy Mangan
Pianist Andre Watts returns for the season opener, performing Brahms' Piano Concerto No. 2 (Sept. 20-22). St.Clair and the orchestra add Johann Strauss' Overture to "Die Fledermaus" and Richard Strauss' "Der Rosenkavalier" Suite. Courtesy of Pacific Symphony; text by Timothy Mangan
Conrad Tao, a teenage pianist who won over audiences at his debut last season, will play the Piano Concerto by Grieg (Oct. 18-20). St.Clair and the orchestra add works by Sibelius ("The Swan of Tuonela") and Tchaikovsky (Symphony No. 4). Courtesy of the Pacific Symphony; text by Timothy Mangan
Singer Ute Lemper appears in a "Come to the Cabaret" program (Nov. 8-10). She'll sing songs by Gershwin, Piaf and Weill. St.Clair and the Pacific Symphony will also revive Gershwin's "American in Paris." Courtesy of Pacific Symphony; text by Timothy Mangan
Acclaimed young cellist Alisa Weilerstein brings Dvorak's Cello Concerto to her appearance with the Pacific Symphony (Dec. 6-8). Guest conductor Alexander Shelley adds "Music for the Royal Fireworks" by Handel and Debussy's "La Mer." Jamie Jung; text by Timothy Mangan
Canadian violinist James Ehnes will perform Beethoven's Violin Concerto (Jan. 10-12). Guest conductor Garry Walker and the orchestra perform Rimsky-Korsakov's "Scheherazade" to close the program. Benjamin Ealovega; text by Timothy Mangan
Music director Carl St.Clair will lead the Pacific Symphony and the Pacific Chorale in an all-Mozart program (Jan. 31-Feb. 2). The composer's "Masonic Funeral Music," "Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue" and Requiem are featured. Marco-Borggreve; text by Timothy Mangan
The Pacific Chorale will participate in the orchestra's concert performance of Puccini's "Tosca" (Feb. 21, 23, 26). Casting has yet to be announced. Carl St.Clair will conduct. Courtesy of Pacific Symphony; text by Timothy Mangan
Serbian pianist Dejan Lazic, who has performed twice with the orchestra in recent seasons, returns with the Keyboard Concerto No. 3 by Bach (March 21-23). St.Clair conducts the Pacific Symphony in Bach's "Air on a G String" and Mahler's Symphony No. 5 Courtesy of Pacific Symphony; text by Timothy Mangan
Conductor Mei-Ann Chen will make an anticipated return to the Pacific Symphony, conducting a program that concludes with Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 (April 4-6). The first half of the concert includes Huang's "Saibei Dance" and the "Butterfly Lover's Concerto" with erhu player George Gao. Courtesy of Pacific Symphony; text by Timothy Mangan
Organist Paul Jacobs will be on hand for Saint-Saens' Symphony No. 3, "Organ" (May 2-4). Guest conductor Aziz Shokhahivov leads the all-French agenda, which includes Chabrier's "Espana" and Lalo's "Symphonie Espagnole" (with violinist Tianwa Yang). Courtesy of Pacific Symphony; text by Timothy Mangan
Composer and saxophonist Daniel Schnyder performs with St.Clair, the Pacific Symphony and the Duke Ellington Orchestra (May 16-18). Jarek Raczek; text by Timothy Mangan
St.Clair and the Pacific Symphony commemorate of the 100th anniversary of Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring" (June 6-8). They open the program in a calmer mode with Debussy's "Prelude to the Afternoon of the Faun." Courtesty of Pacific Symphony; text by Timothy Mangan

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